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South Korea's Ted Oh upstaged a jet-lagged Colin Montgomerie and big-hitting John Daly to take the first-round lead of the TCL Classic in China, where Ireland's Paul McGinley is also competing.
Oh, who shot to prominence as the youngest player to qualify for the US Open as a 16-year-old in 1993, made five birdies and no bogeys on his way to a five-under-par 67.
Last season's Davidoff Tour rookie of the year said his game had benefited from hard work in recent months.
"Last year was so easy and I didn't miss any cuts. So I guess I didn't work as hard as I did," he said.
"But the last few months, I have started working really hard and played really well in the last few events," added Oh, who languishes well down the order of merit this season after finishing 17th last year.
McGinley made the long trip and opened with a solid one-under 71.
Meanwhile Montgomerie, coming off his shared victory in the Volvo Masters, took advantage of benign conditions to rattle in four birdies and two bogeys to join Daly in the clubhouse with a two-under 70.
The 39-year-old was pleased to have made a solid start in his first competitive round in China though he admitted to being tired after arriving late-Tuesday.
"The time difference is bad - eight hours - I'm still playing in the middle of the night and after coming off a win, it's always draining especially on a course like Valderrama," he said.
Daly produced his usual fireworks to thrill the Chinese crowds but he showed signs of rustiness around the greens following a month off.
"I got a little bit tired on the back nine," said the two-time major winner. "But I was happy with the way I hit the ball. I had some opportunities but I'm happy with two-under which puts me right in there," said Daly.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee also made a solid start with a four-under 68. He was joined by former European number one Lee Westwood and Korean-born New Zealander Eddie Lee, 18, making his professional debut.
Several groups who failed to finish as darkness closed will return early tomorrow to complete their first rounds.
AFP